The story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland. Inspector
Jenny Logan is summoned by Sergeant Grant to the
house of fashionable restaurateur, Alex Maclennan,
who has been found dead on the floor of the
bathroom, behind a locked door. The body was
found by Alice Maclennan, the victim’s wife, and her
brother, Donald Johnstone. After questioning them,
Logan suspects there may be suspicious circumstances.
Later, Logan questions Ian Ross, manager of Alex
Maclennan’s restaurant. She discovers that Ross is
a salaried manager, not a partner. She also discovers
that Ross used to be in the army. Grant reveals that
Johnstone has major financial problems and is heavily
in debt. The pathologists then confirm the cause
and time of Alex Maclennan’s death but cannot say
whether the broken neck was murder or not. Pieces
of black fabric found at the scene of the murder are
being examined. Logan sees journalist friend Tam
MacDonald, who tells her that the Maclennans’
marriage was unhappy but cannot confirm whether
Alice had a lover